Go after instigators of violence, return peace to Valley within a week: Rajnath to forces

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has directed the security forces to go after those instigating youths to indulge in violence in Jammu and Kashmir and try to bring back normalcy in the state within a week. The directive was given during an hour-long meeting the Home Minister had with top security officials on Sunday. 

Sources said the Home Minister conveyed that the security forces must go after the instigators of the violence in Kashmir Valley and book them as they continue to disrupt normal life for 65 days after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on September 8.

Singh said that normalcy should be brought back within a week and school and other educational institutions should function as students are worst sufferers during the prolonged turmoil, sources said. Attempts should also be made to reopen shops and other commercial establishments which were shut completely, the Home Minister told the officials.

The Home Minister reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where a policeman and three militants were killed two separate incidents on Sunday.

The officials briefed the prevailing situation in Kashmir Valley as well as along the border and the steps taken to bring back normalcy in the state, official sources said. The unrest had started following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. So far, 75 people lost their lives in the 65 days of turmoil.

Three militants and a policeman were today killed and six others, including an police officer, were injured in twin encounters between security forces and four terrorists in Poonch town of Jammu and Kashmir.

The encounters between security forces and the militants, who were holed up in a house and another structure near the under-construction Mini Secretariat, erupted at around 7.30 AM and continued through the day.

"Three militants have been knocked down. The civilians, who were held hostage, have been safely evacuated. Operation is still on," Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Rajouri-Poonch range Johny Willian told PTI.

Meanwhile, four terrorists who were trying to sneak into India via the Line of Control (LoC) were killed today as Army foiled three infiltration attempts in Kashmir. One infiltration bid was foiled in Naugam sector, another in Tangdhar sector and the third one in Gurez sector.